{
  "id": 5239518,
  "title": "IAF commander who shot down Pak jet after Balakot strikes joins private airline",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/iaf-commander-who-shot-down-pak-jet-after-balakot-strikes-joins",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T03:49:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/iaf-commander-who-shot-down-pak-jet-after-balakot-strikes-joins-private-airline/articleshow/133724433.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, known for shooting down a Pakistani fighter jet during the 2019 Balakot strikes, has transitioned to the private airline sector. Varthaman, who received the Vir Chakra award for his actions in 2021, has been appointed as a pilot by FLY91, a regional airline based in Goa. His appointment to commercial aviation was revealed in August. Varthaman's career in the IAF encompassed his pivotal role in the aerial combat following India's Balakot air strikes. On February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force conducted a strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility in Balakot, Pakistan, in response to a terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama. The following day, Pakistani fighter jets initiated an aerial attack, triggering the IAF to scramble aircraft for interception. Varthaman, serving with the Srinagar-based 51 Squadron at the time, was piloting a MiG-21 Bison when he engaged a Pakistani F-16. He successfully shot down the Pakistani fighter jet before his own aircraft sustained damage. Subsequently, Varthaman ejected over Pakistani-controlled territory and was captured by the Pakistani Army, eventually being released after diplomatic pressure from India.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Former Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman shot down Pakistani jet in 2019.",
    "Awarded Vir Chakra for his actions during Balakot strikes.",
    "Appointed as pilot by FLY91, regional airline in Goa."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "IAF commander who shot down Pak jet after Balakot strikes joins private airline",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/iaf-commander-who-shot-down-pak-jet-after-balakot-strikes-joins-5246203",
        "published": "2026-09-03T03:49:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}